Responses for Navigating Unsolicited Opinions With Poise

Thanks, but no thanks. Here's how to handled unwanted wedding advice with easy copy/paste responses.

Congratulations, you're engaged. Get ready for an incoming wave of unsolicited advice!

We're not sure what it is about major life events, but they tend to invite unwanted opinions. From family members trying to control your guest list to that friend who insists you should DIY everything, even the most well-meaning “advice” can feel overwhelming or even invasive.

So, how do you handle these moments without causing offense — or losing your sanity? The key is to strike a balance between setting boundaries and maintaining grace. Here's how to respond when a loved one's “helpful” suggestion threatens to derail your vision for your big day.

Advice: “Don't waste money on [flowers, linens, etc.]. No one notices those things anyway.”
Response: “We've been thoughtful about where to spend and where to save, and this is something that feels worth it to us for our wedding.”

Advice: “You should have kids right away, don't wait too long.”
Response: “We'll make that decision when the time feels right. Starting a family is such a personal choice. For now, we're just really excited to focus on starting our life together.”

TIP: Know someone notorious for voicing their opinions? Avoid wedding talk around them.

Advice: “Don't spend too much on your dress; you'll only wear it once.”
Response: “For me, the dress is more than just wearing it once. It's part of how I want to feel on this special day, and it's something I've been really excited about.”

Advice: “You'll save so much money if you DIY that.”
Response: “Yeah, I thought about DIYing it, but honestly, I don't have the time and energy to take that on. Plus, I'd rather leave it to the pros so it turns out exactly how I want.”

Advice: “You need to invite [insert name of person who is not invited].”
Response: “We've given a lot of thought to the guest list, and it was such a tough process. Our decisions are based on what our venue and budget will allow, and we invited those who we feel closest to at this time.”

Advice: “Just elope — it's easier!”
Response: “A private celebration works wonderfully for some couples. For us, though, having a wedding is about bringing our loved ones together to celebrate this milestone. It's something we've been looking forward to, even if it takes more planning.”

Advice: “You should do [insert wedding detail]. that's how we did it at my wedding and it was beautiful.”
Response: “Thank you for your advice! I'm sure it was beautiful, but I'm really excited to see how our vision comes together!”